Robyn Kennedy Picked To Lead Key Senate Committee

WORCESTER, MA — Weeks after officially taking office, state Sen. Robyn Kennedy was appointed Wednesday to lead the senate side of the joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Kennedy, who was elected in November following Harriette Chandler's retirement announcement, will take over the senate leadership of the committee from Springfield Democrat Adam Gomez.

The committee's mission to oversee any laws that deal with "child welfare, juvenile justice, public welfare, and children and adults with physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities" aligns with some campaign goals Kennedy laid out in 2022. Kennedy said she would focus on "care economy" issues if elected.

"My number one priority is investing in our care economy workforce, from early education and care educators to mental health counselors in our schools, all the way up to home health aides and nurses," she told Patch in August. "You have these workforces that have just been undervalued and underpaid for so long."

There are currently no bills pending in the committee following the start of the 193rd legislative session in January.

Kennedy won Chandler's seat in 2022 following a primary race against Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty Jr. and a general election race against unenrolled candidate Lisa Mair, a Berlin resident.